What can you do with a Chemical Engineering degree from Northeastern University?

First, some facts. Of the Chemical Engineering graduates from Northeastern University we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 11 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Great! Overall, with an average relevance score of 91%, Chemical Engineering graduates from Northeastern University have a substantially higher likelihood (+24%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 91%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, 45% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Chemical Engineering graduate.

See the details:

View a random Chemical Engineering graduate from Northeastern University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 100%

We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2018 from Northeastern University with a Bachelors Degree in Chemical Engineering. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Research Assistant
Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering
Feb 2019 - Jul 2019
The role of Research Assistant at Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering directly applies skills and knowledge in chemical engineering to research projects focused on developing innovative engineering solutions, making it highly relevant to the Bachelor's degree.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Doctor of Philosophy - PhD
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
2020 - 2025
ABOUT

Grad Student in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. In 2018, I graduated Northeastern University with a Bachelor's of Science in Chemical Engineering. I am interested in learning about the biological, chemical and physical systems that influence the behavior of complex organisms.

What jobs can you get with a Chemical Engineering degree from Northeastern University?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


From the analysis of various LinkedIn profiles of Northeastern alumni with degrees in Chemical Engineering, it seems that many of them have ventured into roles that are fairly relevant to their field of study. A significant number of graduates have found jobs as manufacturing engineers, process engineers, or research associates, particularly within the biopharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors. Positions like Process Development Scientist or Associate Scientist at companies such as Amgen and Moderna showcase how their training in chemical engineering has been applied directly to areas like drug development and bioprocessing, which are critical in today’s medical landscape.

However, not every role taken on by these graduates is directly tied to chemical engineering principles. Some have drifted into positions that don't fully utilize their specialized knowledge, such as analysts or roles focused on client management and sales. While analytical skills are beneficial, their jobs may prioritize different competencies unrelated to the core technical skills learned during their degree. Overall, it seems that many graduates are indeed applying their chemical engineering backgrounds effectively in relevant roles, especially in research and process development, but there are also instances where their degrees aren't as closely linked to their day-to-day work tasks.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Chemical Engineering graduates (this is across all Chemical Engineering graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Northeastern University):

What kind of career trajectories do Chemical Engineering graduates from Northeastern University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

It looks like Northeastern University graduates with a degree in Chemical Engineering have been carving out some solid career paths that are pretty relevant to their field. For many of them, their first jobs after graduation often involve roles like manufacturing associates or process engineers, which is a great way to get hands-on experience in the industry. Over the years, those who graduated around 2010 and 2012, for instance, have climbed the ladder to positions like engineering manager or key account manager, indicating not only job stability but growth in responsibility. Meanwhile, the more recent graduates from 2016 and onward have been landing roles in research and development at major companies like Pfizer and Moderna, which shows they are definitely in demand in cutting-edge sectors, especially in pharmaceuticals and biologics.

As we look at their trajectories over 5 to 10 years, it's evident that many have developed impressive careers often directly tied to chemical engineering principles. A lot of them transition into higher roles, whether in management or specialization, which suggests a healthy job market tailored for these graduates. However, it's also worth noting that some grads took paths that seem less aligned with traditional chemical engineering careers, like moving into more generic operational roles or analysis positions in unrelated fields. So while the majority appear to be doing really well in relevant careers, there are a few who ended up a bit off the beaten path. Overall, though, it is clear that a degree from Northeastern is a solid launchpad for a successful career in chemical engineering and related industries!

How hard is a Chemical Engineering degree from Northeastern University?

Alright, let’s be real—chemistry, math, and engineering are no joke, and a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering is definitely on the tougher side of the scale, no matter where you study it, including Northeastern. You’re diving deep into some pretty complex concepts, which can be intense. You’ll have to juggle a hefty workload, labs, and design projects, all while keeping your grades up. Northeastern’s co-op program adds another layer, giving you real-world experience, which is awesome but can also add to the busy schedule. So, while the program can be rewarding and offers great experiences, you should definitely be prepared for a challenging ride!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Chemical Engineering.

Do Chemical Engineering graduates from Northeastern University tend to make good money?

Alright, so looking at these Chemical Engineering graduates from Northeastern University, it seems like they’re landing pretty solid jobs for the most part. The older grads, especially, are climbing the ladder in reputable companies like Sartorius and Moderna, which suggests they've been making decent money and likely have good career growth ahead. Meanwhile, the more recent grads are still getting their feet wet, but roles like "Associate Scientist" show they’re stepping into well-paying positions right out of school. Overall, it looks like a lot of them are on track to earn good salaries, and those in the biotech field especially seem to have strong earning potential.

What buzzwords do Chemical Engineering graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Chemical Engineering (this is across all Chemical Engineering graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Northeastern University). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Chemical Engineering?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Chemical Engineering (ordered by the average relevance score of their Chemical Engineering graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
Northeastern University 91 11
Rochester Institute of Technology 90 10
Clarkson University 90 10
University of Cincinnati 89 16
Oklahoma State University 88 10
Purdue University 87 20
University of Arkansas 87 13
North Carolina State University 86 22
Arizona State University 85 13
University of Wisconsin-Madison 85 13
University of Delaware 85 13
University at Buffalo 83 10
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology 83 13
University of California, Berkeley 82 12
Villanova University 82 10
Montana State University-Bozeman 82 13
Louisiana State University 81 15
The Ohio State University 80 36
Texas A&M University 79 37
Brigham Young University 79 14
University of Arizona 79 15
University of Oklahoma 79 13
University of Massachusetts Lowell 79 12
Michigan Technological University 78 22
Auburn University 76 20
Iowa State University 75 18
Georgia Institute of Technology 74 11
University of California, Davis 73 20
University of Houston 73 17
University of Pittsburgh 73 21
University of Virginia 73 12
Michigan State University 72 24
Oregon State University 72 20
University of Dayton 72 12
Penn State University 71 21
The University of Texas at Austin 71 24
University of Washington 71 10
University of Iowa 71 10
University of Connecticut 70 11
The University of Alabama 69 10
New Jersey Institute of Technology 69 12
Colorado School of Mines 69 21
University of Florida 68 20
Virginia Tech 68 16
Mississippi State University 68 15
University of Notre Dame 68 10
University of Kentucky 67 11
Worcester Polytechnic Institute 67 16
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University 66 11
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 65 16
University of Michigan 62 21
The University of Kansas 62 11
Missouri University of Science and Technology 60 14
University of South Florida 58 14
University of California, San Diego 56 12